At Slope Records, the music is fast and loud, fun is a guiding principle, and all misfits are welcome. Named for the Sunnyslope neighborhood in Phoenix, Arizona where it is based out of a building that also houses a 1950s bomb shelter, Slope Records has roots in the DIY punk culture that sprung up in city during the 1980s. In those days, Phoenix was still developing into the metropolis it is today
, and local youth were struggling through their own growing pains—which made it the perfect ground for rebellion and revolution. Outsiders from miles around would come together for underground shows and secret desert parties, and tape trading was key to discovering new music. Instead it takes inspiration from that energy and spirit, and uses it to bridge generations of music fans and champion the future of punk. Founded by lifelong punk, musician, and entrepreneur Thomas Lopez in 2015, the vinyl-only label specializes in a transgressive music by artists who are more bound by attitude than musical style. In a short amount of time Slope has released a ferocious mix of punk, hardcore, ska, garage, and psych releases—celebrate the contributions of the early, often-unsung disruptors while keeping an ear to the ground for emerging musical oddballs and dissidents: among its roster are stalwarts such as U.S. Bombs and Exterminators (with members of the Germs, Meat Puppets), The Feederz, psych weirdos such as F**kemos, and upstarts including ska-punk trio, the Linecutters and gospel-infused two-piece, the Christian Family. New to the label are The Blankz, the snotty punk and new wave band Lopez founded last year with a collective of like-minded Phoenix garage and punk vets. Each Slope release is pressed on high-quality vinyl and includes carefully-crafted cover art, but Slope isn’t just for collectors and crate diggers—they’re also forging innovations for how music can find an audience in today’s digital-focused market while staying true to their artist-friendly principles. “It's just a matter of teaming up with somebody that has the same vision and drive to make it work. And it is going to work,” Lopez says. And speaking of drive, Slope’s even fixed up and modded out a 35-foot van so that its artists can have access to a roadworthy tour vehicle. Check back for news on upcoming releases and tours. For Slope Records, Phoenix will always be home, but they’re intent on bringing a bit of desert punk to you
